Motivation depression

Motivation depression (also known as avolition or amotivation)^[1] is defined as a decreased desire to initiate or persist in goal-directed behavior.^[2][3] Motivation depression prevents an individual the ability to sustain the rewarding value of an action into an uncertain future; this includes tasks deemed challenging or unpleasant, such as working, studying, cleaning, and doing general chores. At its higher levels, motivation depression can cause one to lose their desire to engage in any activities, even the ones that would usually be considered entertaining or rewarding to the user. This effect can lead onto severe states of boredom and even mild depression when experienced at a high level of intensity for prolonged periods of time.

Motivation suppression is often accompanied by other coinciding effects such as sedation and thought deceleration. It is most commonly induced under the influence of an acute dosage of an antipsychotic compound, such as quetiapine, haloperidol, and risperidone.^[4][5] However, it is worth noting that chronic treatment with any dose of antipsychotic medication does not cause this effect.^[1] It can also occur under the influence of heavy dosages of cannabinoids^[6] and benzodiazepines, as a result of long-term SSRI usage,^[7] during the offset of stimulants, and during the withdrawal symptoms of almost any compound.